CATHARINE " KAY" HARRIS JOHNSON

Catharine "Kay" Harris Johnson of Duluth and Saint Paul, died on Nov. 30, 2009, in St. Paul surrounded by her loving family.

Catharine was born Sept. 6 1917, in Foxboro, Wis., to John and Mary Frances (Finn) Harris.

Catharine lived a full and vibrant life. She held Bachelor and Master's Degrees of Education from UMD, with majors in English and History. On Sept. 20, 1941, she married Dr. Karl E. Johnson, a Duluth surgeon and the love of her life, and sent him off to war shortly thereafter. After the war, they returned to Duluth where they lived and together raised their three children. As the Duluth News-Tribune recorded once, Catharine's "list of accomplishments, if strung out, would reach from Duluth to the Twin Cities." Indeed, Catharine was a gifted woman leader, humanitarian and philanthropist. Her many accolades and accomplishments include being named Duluth Woman of the Year (1976) and the first woman serving as a President of the Duluth Convention Center. She also served in various leadership positions including: President of the Duluth Chapter, American Association of University Women (AAUW), President of the Minnesota State Medical Auxiliary, charter member of both the Governor's and the President's Commissions on Employment of the Handicapped, founder of the Greater Duluth Council of Employment of the Handicapped, Chairwoman of the Duluth Women's Club, Chairwoman of the Women's Institute of Duluth, member of the Discover Duluth and Bicentennial Heritage Committee, Board Member of the Phoenix House Foundation, member of the Duluth PTA Council, Boy Scout Den mother, Brownie and Girl Scout Troop leader and a key volunteer for St. Michael's Parish and various hospital auxiliaries including St. Luke's, Miller-Dwan, and St. Mary's hospitals. She was an honorary and lifetime member of Northland Country Club. In her own words, Catharine considered it a "privilege and a joy" to serve her community and Minnesota. Despite her impressive volunteer agenda, Catharine's greatest delights came from her role as an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. She loved raising her children - claiming later that every day was an adventure - and spending time with them and their families throughout her life. She was so proud of her Irish heritage and instilled strong values in her children (and they in theirs) who all know from Mom the importance of living life to its fullest. She worked hard and played hard and loved golf, bridge, reading, an exceptional glass of wine, traveling, and perhaps most of all, Snickers. Incidentally, she will go to the great beyond wearing her golf shoes. In every sense, she embodied her nickname, "the Great One." Her determination, intelligence, common sense, laughter, strength, and kindness will be missed but never forgotten. We, her family, loved her and we are all so proud of who she was and who she helped us all become. She was amazing.

Catharine was preceded in death in 1992 by her husband, Dr. Karl E. Johnson, and eight siblings.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Randall K. Johnson (Gloria) of White Bear Lake, Cynthia M. Johnson of St. Paul, Mark E. Johnson of Sleepy Hollow, Ill.; and her grandchildren, Andrew (Carrie), Chris, Ben, Cally and Sam Johnson, and their mothers, Jean Johnson of St. Paul and Kate Johnson of Sleepy Hollow.

VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 with 6 p.m. Wake Prayers in Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 E. 4th Street. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, with a visitation one hour prior. 4901 East Superior Street. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. The family prefers memorials be directed to St. Luke's Hospital Foundation and Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind. Funeral arrangements by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 East 4th Street. Duluth